India and the Netherlands have formalized their commitment to advancing healthcare quality and medical product regulation through a Memorandum of Intent (MoI) signed in The Hague, Netherlands. The collaborative effort, announced during a meeting between Bhagwant Khuba, Union Minister of State for Chemicals and Fertilizers, and Ernst Kuipers, Minister of Health, Welfare, and Sports of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, signifies a significant step towards enhancing healthcare services in both nations.
The signing of the MoI occurred within the framework of a broader engagement between the two countries. Minister Khuba is leading a high-level delegation from India, currently in the Netherlands for the second World Local Production Forum (WLPF) meeting from November 6 to 8, 2023. The World Local Production Platform, established under the World Health Organization (WHO), aims to increase access to essential medicines and health technologies globally.
In addition to the MoI signing, Minister Khuba’s visit included a significant engagement with the European Medicines Agency (EMA), where regulatory aspects of the pharmaceutical and medical technology industries were discussed, prioritizing patient safety and product quality.
The trip also saw exploration of collaboration opportunities in the energy sector, particularly in hydrogen production and transportation. Minister Khuba’s visit to the Port of Rotterdam, Europe’s largest port, provided a platform to discuss Rotterdam’s hydrogen hub plans, aligning with India’s Green Hydrogen Mission.
Highlighting the importance of healthcare and pharmaceuticals, Minister Khuba visited Bilthoven Biologicals, a major vaccine producer. This visit underscored India’s commitment to fostering global collaborations in the pharmaceutical and healthcare sector.
This cooperative effort aims to contribute to the global goal of improving access to essential medical products and technologies, benefiting patients and healthcare systems in both India and the Netherlands.
